Press device

Abstract

A press device comprising a press ring for pressing together tubular workpieces in between, and at least a first and a second pivotable jaw is described. The first jaw comprises a first engagement section and the second jaw comprises a second engagement section. The press ring comprises a first and a second receiving section for receiving the first and the second engagement section of the press jaws, respectively. A first and a second surface of the first and the second receiving section, respectively, contact the first and the second engagement section, respectively. Each comprise a planar surface. The first and the second contact surface oppose each other for applying a press force F. The first contact surface and the second contact surface each comprise at least one convex surface.

Claims

1. A press device, comprising: a press ring for pressing together tubular workpieces in between; and at least a first and a second pivotable jaw; wherein the first jaw comprises a first engagement section and the second jaw comprises a second engagement section; and the press ring comprises a first and a second receiving section for receiving the first and the second engagement section of the first and second jaws, respectively; wherein a first and a second surface of the first and the second receiving section, respectively, contact the first and the second engagement section, respectively, each of the first and the second surfaces comprising a planar surface; and the first engagement section comprises a first contact surface and the second engagement section comprises a second contact surface, wherein the first and the second contact surface oppose and are directed towards each other for applying a press force (F); wherein the first and the second contact surface are rectangular in a projection into an x-z-plane and comprise a first convex surface curved around an axis parallel to the z-axis at the proximal end and a second convex surface curved around an axis parallel to the z-axis at a distal end of the first and the second contact surface, respectively, and a planar surface in between, wherein the first convex surface of the first contact surface and the first convex surface of the second contact surface oppose each other; wherein upon application of a press force (F) by the first and second jaws to the press ring, the first convex surface and the second convex surface transmit the press force to the first and second receiving regions of the press ring.

2. The press device of claim 1 wherein upon application of the press force to the press ring, only the first convex surface and the second convex surface transmit the press force to the receiving regions of the press ring.

3. The press device of claim 2 wherein the first convex surface and the second convex surface equally transmit the press force to the receiving regions of the press ring.

4. The press device according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second contact surface are curved around an axis parallel to the x-axis.

5. The press device according to claim 1, further comprising: a first and a second connecting member for connecting the first and the second press jaw; wherein the first and the second press jaw are pivotally affixed to the first and the second connecting member.

6. The press device according to claim 5, wherein the first and the second connecting member are arranged at opposite sides of the first and the second press jaw.

7. The press device according to claim 5, wherein the first and the second connecting member comprise at least two holes for inserting bolts by which the first and the second press jaw are pivotally affixed to the first and second connecting member.

8. The press device according to claim 5, wherein the first and the second connecting member comprise a hole for connecting the press jaws to a press tool.

9. A press device, comprising: a press ring for pressing together tubular workpieces in between; and at least a first and a second pivotable jaw; wherein the first jaw comprises a first engagement section and the second jaw comprises a second engagement section; and the press ring comprises a first and a second receiving section for receiving the first and the second engagement section of the first and second jaws, respectively; wherein a first and a second surface of the first and the second receiving section, respectively, contact the first and the second engagement section, respectively, each of the first and the second surfaces comprising a planar surface; and the first engagement section comprises a first contact surface and the second engagement section comprises a second contact surface, wherein the first and the second contact surface oppose and are directed towards each other for applying a press force (F); wherein the first and the second contact surface are further curved around an axis parallel to the x-axis at the right end of the first and the second contact surface, respectively, and are further curved around an axis parallel to the x-axis at the left end of the first and the second contact surface, respectively, and are linear in between; wherein the first contact surface comprises a first convex surface and the second contact surface comprises a second convex surface, wherein the first and the second convex surfaces oppose and are directed towards each other; wherein upon application of a press force (F) by the first and second jaws to the press ring, the first convex surface and the second convex surface transmit the press force to the first and second receiving regions of the press ring.

10. The press device of claim 9 wherein upon application of the press force to the press ring, only the first convex surface and the second convex surface transmit the press force to the receiving regions of the press ring.

11. The press device of claim 10 wherein the first convex surface and the second convex surface equally transmit the press force to the receiving regions of the press ring.

12. The press device according to claim 9, further comprising: a first and a second connecting member for connecting the first and the second press jaw; wherein the first and the second press jaw are pivotally affixed to the first and the second connecting member.

13. The press device according to claim 12, wherein the first and the second connecting member are arranged at opposite sides of the first and the second press jaw.

14. The press device according to claim 12, wherein the first and the second connecting member comprise at least two holes for inserting bolts by which the first and the second press jaw are pivotally affixed to the first and second connecting member.

15. The press device according to claim 12, wherein the first and the second connecting member comprise a hole for connecting the press jaws to a press tool.

16. A press device, comprising: a press ring for pressing together tubular workpieces in between; and at least a first and a second pivotable jaw; wherein the first jaw comprises a first engagement section and the second jaw comprises a second engagement section; and the press ring comprises a first and a second receiving section for receiving the first and the second engagement section of the first and second jaws, respectively; wherein a first and a second surface of the first and the second receiving section, respectively, contact the first and the second engagement section, respectively, each of the first and the second surfaces comprising a planar surface; and the first engagement section comprises a first contact surface and the second engagement section comprises a second contact surface, wherein the first and the second contact surface oppose each other for applying a press force (F); wherein the first and the second contact surface are rectangular in a projection into an x-z-plane and comprise a first convex surface curved around an axis parallel to the z-axis at the proximal end and a second convex surface curved around an axis parallel to the z-axis at a distal end of the first and the second contact surface, respectively, and a planar surface in between; wherein the first convex surface of the first contact surface and the first convex surface of the second contact surface oppose each other; wherein upon application of a press force (F) by the first and second jaws to the press ring, the first convex surface of the first contact surface and the first convex surface of the second contact surface contact the first and second receiving regions of the press ring.

17. The press device according to claim 16, wherein the first and the second contact surface are curved around an axis parallel to the x-axis.

18. The press device according to claim 16, further comprising: a first and a second connecting member for connecting the first and the second press jaw; wherein the first and the second press jaw are pivotally affixed to the first and the second connecting member.

19. A press device, comprising: a press ring for pressing together tubular workpieces in between; and at least a first and a second pivotable jaw; wherein the first jaw comprises a first engagement section and the second jaw comprises a second engagement section; and the press ring comprises a first and a second receiving section for receiving the first and the second engagement section of the first and second jaws, respectively; wherein a first and a second surface of the first and the second receiving section, respectively, contact the first and the second engagement section, respectively, each of the first and the second surfaces comprising a planar surface; and the first engagement section comprises a first contact surface and the second engagement section comprises a second contact surface, wherein the first and the second contact surface oppose each other for applying a press force (F); wherein the first and the second contact surface are further curved around an axis parallel to the x-axis at the right end of the first and the second contact surface, respectively, and are further curved around an axis parallel to the x-axis at the left end of the first and the second contact surface, respectively, and are linear in between; wherein the first contact surface and the second contact surface each comprise at least one convex surface; wherein the at least one convex surface of the first contact surface and the at least one convex surface of the second contact surface oppose each other; wherein upon application of a press force (F) by the first and second jaws to the press ring, the first convex surface and the second convex surface contact the first and second receiving regions of the press ring.

20. The press device according to claim 19, further comprising: a first and a second connecting member for connecting the first and the second press jaw; wherein the first and the second press jaw are pivotally affixed to the first and the second connecting member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a side view in the x-y plane of a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a press device with press jaws in a closed position.

(2) FIG. 2 is a side view in the x-y plane of a schematic illustration of the press device of FIG. 1 in an open position.

(3) FIG. 3 is a side view in the x-y plane of a partially cut schematic illustration of the press device of FIG. 1 in a closed position to show the contact surfaces.

(4) FIG. 4 is a side view in the x-y plane of a partially cut schematic illustration of the press device of FIG. 3 in an open position.

(5) FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional perspective view of a schematic illustration of the press device of FIG. 1 in a closed position.

(6) FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional perspective view of a schematic illustration of the press device of FIG. 5 in an open position.

(7) FIG. 7 is a three-dimensional perspective view of a schematic illustration of the press device of FIG. 1 in a closed position while the press jaws engage the press ring at 90° angle.

(8) FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional perspective view of a schematic illustration of the press device of FIG. 7 in an open position.

(9) FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a schematic illustration of the press device of FIG. 7 in a closed position.

(10) FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a schematic illustration of the press device of FIG. 9 in an open position.

(11) FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of a schematic illustration of the press devices of FIG. 10 in an open position.

(12) FIGS. 12A-12F are schematic cross-sectional views of the first and second engagement sections of the press jaws with the respective first and second contact surface of different embodiments.

(13) FIG. 13 is a schematic top planar view in the x-z-plane of the first and second contact surface.

(14) FIG. 14 is a side view in the x-y plane of a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a press device with press jaws and a press ring in an open position.

(15) FIG. 15 is a side view in the x-y plane of a partially cut schematic illustration of the press device of FIG. 14 in an open position to show the contact surfaces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(16) In the following preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures.

(17) FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the press jaws 1, 2 and parts of the press ring 40 of the present invention in a closed (FIG. 1) and an open (FIG. 2) position. The press jaws 1, 2 together with the press ring 40 form the press device 50. The press device 50 can be an electric or hydraulic actuated press device 50. In the closed as well as in the open position, the first 10 and the second engagement section 20 of the press jaws 1, 2 are already engaging the first 41 and the second receiving section 42 at the press ring 40. The first 11 and the second contact surface 21 are masked by a small rim 43 at the first 41 and the second receiving section 42. This rim 43, secures the engagement and prevents a slipping of the first 10 and the second engagement section 20 from the first 41 and the second receiving section 42, respectively.

(18) The further elements of a press tool like an electric motor are not shown in the figures but can be connected to the press jaws 1, 2 via a bolt-connection at the holes 34, 35 of the first 31 and the second connecting member 32. Both connecting members 31, 32 are arranged one after another in this view, thus, the second connecting member 32 is masked by the first connecting member 31 but will be visible in further figures. The press jaws 1, 2 are pivotable affixed to the first 31 and the second connecting member 32 via bolt-connections using the bolts 33, 33′. Thus, leverage forces of the press jaws 1, 2 with respect to the first 31 and the second connecting member 32 can be used to press the first 10 and the second engagement section 20 of the press jaws 1, 2 together by a force F and thus close the press ring 40. By closing the press ring 40 a circumferential force is applied onto the surface of the outer tubular workpiece (not shown) that is to be pressed or crimped.

(19) In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 the above-mentioned rim 43 at the first 41 and the second receiving section 42 of the press ring 40 is partially left out for visualization purposes only. FIG. 3 shows the press ring 40 and the press jaws 1, 2 in a closed position. The first 11 and the second contact surface 21 are in contact with the respective planar first 44 and second 45 surface of the first 41 and second receiving section 42 and provide a large contact area. In FIG. 4 the press jaws 1, 2 and the press ring 40 of the present invention are in an open position. Due to the convex shape of the first 11 and the second contact surface 21 even during engagement of the first 10 and the second engagement section 20 with the first 41 and the second receiving section 42 no sharp edges impact on the planar first 44 and second 45 surface of the respective first 41 and second receiving section 42 but the rounded first 11 and second contact surface 21, for an even transmission of the applied press force F.

(20) FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show perspective views of the press jaws 1, 2 and the press ring 40 of the present invention where the second connecting member 32 is now at least partially visible. Furthermore, it can be seen from these figures that the first 41 and the second receiving section 42 comprise a flat and circular shape. Thus, it is possible to engage the first 41 and the second receiving section 42 from different side and different angles by the first 10 and the second engagement section 20 of the press jaws 1, 2.

(21) In FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 an engagement of the first 10 and the second engagement section 20 by an angle of about 90 degree with respect to the scenario of FIGS. 5 and 6 is shown. Due to the above-mentioned circular shape of the first 41 and the second receiving section 42 an engagement from different angles is possible.

(22) In FIGS. 9 to 11 again the rim 43 at the first 41 and the second receiving section 42 is partially left out for visualization purposes only. Especially from FIG. 11 it can be seen that a three-dimensional curved first 11 and second contact surface 21 enables an edge-free engagement of the first 10 and the second engagement section 20 without damaging the planar first 44 and second 45 surface of the respective first 41 and second receiving section 42.

(23) In FIG. 12 different cross-sectional views of embodiments of the first 10 and the second engagement section 20 of the press jaws 1, 2 of the present invention are displayed. Thereby, FIGS. 12a to 12c show cross-sections in x-direction of the first 10 and the second engagement section 20 of the press jaws 1, 2. Thus the illustrated cross-sectional views show the width Wx of the engagement sections 10, 20. The left side of each cross-section refers to the distal end 14 of the first 10 and the second engagement section 20 of the press jaws 1, 2, i.e. these distal ends 14 are further away from the center of the press jaws 1, 2 than the proximal ends 13. The right sides refer to the proximal end 13 of the first 10 and the second engagement section 20, i.e. these sides are nearer to the center of the press jaws 1, 2 than the distal ends 14. The axis of curvature 60 extends in z-direction. The flatter the contact surface 11, 21, the larger the radius of curvature r and the further away the center of curvature or the axis of curvature 60 resp. lies from the contact surface 11, 21. The same holds for FIGS. 12D to 12F with the only difference that the engagement sections 10, 20 are displayed in the y-z plane. Thus, there the axis of curvature 60 extends in x-direction.

(24) As it can be seen, the first 11 and the second contact surface 21 at the proximal end 13 comprise a first convex surface 11a, 21a, in order to avoid any damages to the contact surfaces 11 and 21 when closing the press jaws 1, 2. By closing the press jaws 1, 2 the first convex surface 11a, 21a is in contact with the planar first 44 and second 45 surface of the respective first 41 and second receiving section 42 and adopts different angles when moving the press jaws 1, 2 from the open to the closed position.

(25) FIG. 12b shows a first 11 and a second contact surface 21 with a planar surface 11b, 21b at the center of the surface. With this configuration in the closed position of the jaws 1, 2 the first 11 and second contact surface 21 is maximized for transmitting high pressure forces. At the same time during closing the press jaws 1, 2 no sharp edges are impacting on the planar first 44 and second 45 surfaces of the respective first 41 and second receiving section 42. The same applies for the embodiment shown in FIG. 12c where the whole first 11 and second contact surface 21 comprises an overall convex surface 11f, 21f.

(26) FIGS. 12d to 12f show cross-sectional views of the first 10 and second engagement section 20 of the press jaws 1, 2 in an y-z-plane, i.e. perpendicular to the x-direction. Here, the left sides of the illustrated first 10 and second engagement section 20 refer to the left end 15, and the right sides of the illustrated first 10 and second engagement section 20 refer to the right end 16 of the first 10 and second engagement section 20.

(27) In FIG. 12d the first 11 and the second contact surface 21 are further continuously linear 11d, 21d in z-direction. The linear extension 11d, 21d enables a large area of contact. Simultaneously it does not impair the operation because the edges at the right 16 and left end 15 of the first 10 and second engagement section 20 do not impact directly on the planar first 44 and second 45 surface of the respective first 41 and second receiving section 42 neither in the open nor in the closed position.

(28) In addition to this convex surface it also possible to further add a right convex surface 11c, 21c at the right end 16 and a left convex surface 11g, 21g at the left end 15 of the first 10 and the second engagement section 20 to the first 11 and second contact surface 21 and a linear section 11d, 21d in between. The resulting barrel-like shaped section illustrated in FIG. 12e provides for an engagement of the first 10 and the second engagement section 20 with the first 41 and the second receiving section 42 without any edges and regardless of the actual engagement angle.

(29) The same applies for the embodiment shown in FIG. 12f having an overall curved section. The difference between the embodiments of FIG. 12e and FIG. 12f is the size of the area of contact. This contact area is larger in the embodiment of FIG. 12e than in the embodiment of FIG. 12f.

(30) FIG. 13 shows a top planar schematic illustration of the first 11 and the second contact surface 21 in an x-z-plane in order to designate the various edges of the contact surfaces 11, 21. The illustrated schematic projection of the at least partially curved first 11 and second contact surface 21 is rectangular with rounded corners. The proximal end is denoted with reference sign 13 and represents the end of the first 10 and second engagement section 20 or first 11 and second contact surface 21, respectively, that are nearest to the center of the press jaws 1, 2. The opposite distal end is denoted by reference sign 14 and represents the end furthest away from the center of the press jaws 1, 2. The left end is denoted by reference sign 15 and the right end is denoted by reference sign 16.

(31) FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 show the complete press device 50 of the present invention comprising the press jaws 1, 2 and the press ring 40. In both Figures the press ring is almost closed, so as if it is arranged around a workpiece (not shown) that is to be pressed or crimped at the inner side/area of the press ring 40. The press ring 40 is composed of at least two ring segments such that it can be largely opened to insert the workpiece in between the ring segments. After inserting the workpiece, the press ring 40 is arranged around large areas of the circumference of the workpiece and only a small portion at the right side of the press ring 40 in FIGS. 14 and 15 is left open. The resulting gap is then closed by using the press jaws and applying a force F to close the press ring 40 and thus mechanically combine/connect the workpiece with another workpiece (also not shown). Thereby, as it can be seen best in FIG. 15, always only rounded or curved contact surfaces 11, 21 of the engagement sections 10, 20 engage with the receiving sections 41, 42 and equally transmit the force F to close the press ring 40.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(32) 1 first pivotable press jaw 2 second pivotable press jaw 10 first engagement section 11 first contact surface 11a, 11c first convex surface (first contact surface) 11e, 11g second convex surface (first contact surface) 11f, 11h overall convex surface (first contact surface) 11b, 11d planar surface (first contact surface) 13 proximal end 14 distal end 15 left end 16 right end 20 second engagement section 21 second contact surface 21a, 21c first convex surface (second contact surface) 21e, 21g second convex surface (second contact surface) 21f, 21h overall convex surface (second contact surface) 21b, 21d planar surface (second contact surface) 31 first connecting member 32 second connecting member 33, 33′ bolt 34 hole in first connecting member 35 hole in second connecting member 40 press ring 41 first receiving section 42 second receiving section 43 rim 44 first surface (first receiving section) 45 second surface (second receiving section) 50 press device 60 axis of curvature r radius of curvature F Press force x, y, z cartesian dimensions Wx width in x-dimension Wz width in (originally) z-dimension

(33) Many other benefits will no doubt become apparent from future application and development of this technology.

(34) All patents, applications, standards, and articles noted herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

(35) The present subject matter includes all operable combinations of features and aspects described herein. Thus, for example if one feature is described in association with an embodiment and another feature is described in association with another embodiment, it will be understood that the present subject matter includes embodiments having a combination of these features.

(36) As described hereinabove, the present subject matter solves many problems associated with previous strategies, systems and/or devices. However, it will be appreciated that various changes in the details, materials and arrangements of components, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the present subject matter, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principle and scope of the claimed subject matter, as expressed in the appended claims.